Quick Turnaround

When searching for a franchise, most people are interested only
in how successful the business is and how much money they'll
make. When presented with a sinking ship, they either jump
overboard or just pass it by. Except for Steve Jecha.

In 1994, with little net worth and no experience in the printing
industry, Jecha left the world of insurance to become an
Insty-Prints franchisee. The executives at the printing franchise
made him an offer he couldn't refuse--no money down and
financing over seven years. The catch? He had to turn around a St.
Paul, Minnesota, franchise that was going out of business.

Jecha decided to give it a shot--and what a shot it was. The
franchise's sales grew from $70,000 in 1994 to $932,000 in
1998. He expects this year's sales to hit $1.1 million.

So what did it take to turn this failing business around? A
great sense of humor, Jecha maintains. The 36-year-old entrepreneur
started grabbing people's attention with humorous postcards
featuring a character called Swift Steve. "The main thing is
to try to keep print purchasing fun and easy for [customers],"
says Jecha, who acquired a second franchise in March 1999 under the
same conditions. "We try to get that across through our
mailings, postcards and newsletters."

Perhaps he acted craziest last year, after President Clinton
testified before the grand jury. Jecha put up a roadside sign that
read "Honk once for Clinton. Honk twice for Starr," and
sent a press release to the media. Before he knew it, he had a
media frenzy at his door and a spot on the national news.

Insty-Prints currently has 248 locations and is seeking
franchisees nationwide. Start-up costs begin at $320,000.

`Toon Time

By Karen E. Spaeder

About five years ago, Daniel Ford was ready to open his own
jewelry store in a mall near his Lewisville, Texas, home. He'd
negotiated his lease and done his homework--plus he had years of
retail experience under his belt. Soon, though, Ford found himself
looking for a new opportunity when the deal fell through due to
circumstances beyond his control.

That may have been just what he needed. Rather than open a
jewelry store, Ford discovered Chuckies, a business opportunity
that sells novelty gifts. "My fear--which I've
overcome--was that I would fail and I'd be out of money,"
says the 32-year-old, who sells personalized pictures (like the one
at right) and mouse pads featuring the Chuckies cartoon characters
from carts in malls and at crafts shows. "But I decided the
only way to succeed was to take a chance."

Beyond that, though, Ford has found that his success stems from
the solid support he receives from the headquarters of parent
company Cowboy Chuck Co. in Moorpark, California; his loyal staff;
and his active involvement in the business, which he operates only
during November and December.

The products, he adds, can appeal to anyone--provided you have
the necessary gusto to sell. "It's not a product that
sells itself," says Ford, who expects sales of $250,000 this
season. "You have to find out what each person's interests
are and personalize their product. To make it work, you have to be
into the business 100 percent."